Tyler McMichael, found dead near Dorchester, Ont., remembered for his laugh and spirit

After four years of searching, the McMichael family now knows what happened to their son.

Police have identified the person who was found dead on the bank of the Thames River near Dorchester, Ont., in February as Tyler McMichael.

Foul play is not suspected in his death, according to police.

Tyler was 20 years old when he was reported missing in May 2019, spurring a long-term search by his family and other members of the community.

"He had this laugh. His laugh was infectious. He was so witty, he could come up with a comeback on the spot that would just split your sides," said Anthony McMichael, Tyler's father, who said the news hasn't quite sunk in yet.

"We've known since February that they were doing DNA testing on some remains, but we weren't sure."

McMichael told CBC News his son will be remembered as a soft-spoken but often full-of-life individual who cared deeply about his family and friends.

Tyler was last seen in the area of Commissioners Road East and Wellington Road near Victoria Hospital on May 24, 2019.

Tyler had a history of struggling with mental health problems and addiction, challenges which Anthony said seemed to be getting better before he went missing.

On the anniversary of his disappearance in 2022, London police released a statement to reaffirm the fact that they were still looking for him.

For months following his son's disappearance, Anthony said he would regularly drive from his home in Blenheim to London to look for him. Over time he, his wife, and other members of the family built a network of support, and found solace in the response of the local community.

"They've been so generous and encouraging through this. If there was anything we needed to do, there was always someone volunteering to help," said Rachel McMichael, Tyler's step mother.

In 2020, one year after Tyler's disappearance, people across London left their porch lights on overnight at the request of Anthony and Rachel, and Krista Mulholland, Tyler's mother, as a symbolic gesture of support, and to light the way home for their son.

"It's really hard when you lay in bed at night, holding each other, crying for four years because you don't know if he is suffering," said Rachel. "Just knowing that he was found and that it's been a long time means that he has not been suffering for all these years."